RIZHAO, a city in eastern China's Shandong province, posted a 19.5 per cent increase in provincial logistics value to CNY527.35 billion (US$86.79 billion) in 2013, the first time the city's total logistics value surpassed CNY500 billion.

Rizhao's logistics industry added value increased 14.5 per cent to CNY14.55 billion, taking up 9.7 per cent in the GDP and 24.9 per cent in the service industry added value. The growth was the third fastest in Shandong province.

Last year, the province spent CNY17 billion on logistics facilities, 18.7 per cent more than in the previous year, taking up 15.9 per cent of the total of the city's infrastructure investments.

The Rizhao government has been taking multiple measures to secure healthy development of the city's logistics industry in order to meet its target of turning the city into a regional logistics hub.

This year, the government will continue to accelerate the building a number of major logistics facilities, encourage development of third party logistics service and promote the application of information technologies in the logistics industry. The city will also offer support to the leading players in the industry.